Improved track-cleaner



DAY.

Track Cleaner.

Patnt ed Apr. 27, 1869.

. dinitmi finder AUGUSTUS DAY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

Bette rs Baum No. 89,296, dated Apr i127, 1869.

IMPROVED TRACK-OLEANER.

To whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS DAY, of Detroit, in the county of Wayne,and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement inDevice for Clearing Railway-Tracks from Snow, Ice, and other likeobstructions; and I do declare that the following is a true and accuratedescription thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,and to the letters of reference marked thereon, and being a part of thisspecification.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention, attached to the sill orbottom of a railway-car.

Figures 2 and 3 are other modifications of the same device.

Like letters indicate like parts in each figure.

The'nature of this invention relates to an improvement-in theconstruction of scrapers for cleaning the rails of a railway of ice,snow, mud, and other obstructions, and consists in the peculiar form ofthe device and method of compelling it to perform its work.

This invention is designed more especially to operate uponstreet-railways, keeping the top of the rail, and adjoining groundcomparatively free from the class of obstructions named above, therebyenabling the animals employed in drawing the cars upon such railways, todo their work more easily than when the track is covered with snow, ice,85c.

A, in the drawings, represents a strap, of steel, iron, or otherappropriatematerial, one end of which should be secured to the bottom ofthe sill B, of a railwaycar, in frontof the wheels of said car, anddirectly over the track 0.

This band, or strap should be heavy, and stiff enough to properly do itswork, and of sufficient width that it will effectually cover the widthof the face of the rail.

At the opposite end from the one secured to thecar, this strap should becurved, as shown in the drawings, and in such a manner that when thestrap is attaehed to the bottom of the car, and in line with the rail,the curved end, D, of said strap will rest diagonally across the rail,so that the snow and ice loosened by it in its passage, will be thrownaway fiorn said track.

E are wings, or auxiliary scrapers, which may be rigidly attached tosaid strap, as in fig. 2, or riveted, as in fig. 1, and are designed toscrape away the snow from either side of the rail, and may be used ornot, as is deemed best; or, these wings may be extended forward, andpivoted to the car, in like manner as the strap A.

Fare adjustable weights, held in place upon the straps'A, by set-screwG, or any other suitable device, for the purpose, and are designed tohold the scraper down to its work.

H is a lip, intended to project below the face of the rail, for thepurpose of clearing the inner faces of the rail, and the grooves inswitches. This lip may be secured to the back of the scraper, whendesired, in any convenient way.

I are small eye-bolts, or rings, secured to the strap A, near its rearend, and to it may be attached a cord, or chain, by means of which thescraper may he raised from the track when necessary, and secured to thecar, when not in use. '1

What I claim as my, invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is I 1. The strap A, and adjustable weight F, when constructed andoperating substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

' 2. In combination with the above, the spur H, andauxiliary scraper, orwings E, when arranged and operating substantially as and for thepurposes described.

, AUGUSTUS DAY. Witnesses:

L. 0. HYDE, H. F. EBERTS.

